Dispensing package



pi w67 LEE ROY WITTERS DI SPENS ING PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April2, 1965 MNIIIH'IL .Qc ll l llc. r

I NVEN TOR WG- BY i ATTORNEYS.,

pffl M, 3%? LEE ROY WITTERS DISPENSING PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 2, 1965 prl M, 32967 LEE ROY WITTE-:Rs 3,3%,473

DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed April 2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f 20 L i@`INVENTOR o ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,313,473 EISPENSING PACKAGE Lee Roy Witter-s,1401 N. Main Ave., Sidney, Ohio 45365 Filed Apr. 2, 1965', Ser. No.445,090 9 Ciarns. (Cl. 229-86) This invention relates to a dispensingpackage, and has particular adaptability to disposable packages, such asare utilized in dispensing individual servings of instant coffee or tea,or other powdered or liquid materials, although it is `within thepurview of the instant invention to provide a similar package withresealable means so that the same can be employed more than once ifdesired, such as a tobacco pouch or the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a unitary singleor multiple use package provided with a pull-type lift tab, `which isadhesively secured to the package and serves as a seal, which tab, whenopened, may serve as a pouring spout to pour the contents of the packagedirectly into a cup or container without waste.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a package of thischaracter which, `=by obviating the conventional pull string across thetop of the package may be opened in a simple and expeditious mannerwithout spilling the contents ofthe package.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a package ofthis nature which may be opened with a minimum of diculty and effort.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a package of thisnature provided with reusable adhesive sealing means, whereby thepackage may be employed for a multiplicity of servings before disposal.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a package of thisnature which is sturdy and durable, which adequately protects thecontents thereof, which may be manufactured simply and inexpensively,and which is reliable and eflicient in operation and which avoidstearing or mutilating the package during opening thereof.

Still other objects and advantages of the instant invention will in partbe apparent and in part be pointed out in the following specificationand shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there are disclosedpreferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of package constructed in accordance`with the instant invention, showing in dotted lines the position of aspout formed by the opening of a flap;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the package of FIGURE 1, thedotted lines indicating a spout formed by the opening of a flap;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing a modified form ofconstruction, showing in dotted lines the position of the spout formedtby the opening of a flap;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the form of the invention shownin FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of still another modified form of the instantinvention;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the package structure shown inFIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a still further modified form of packageconstruction in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 8 is a -side elevational view of the form of the invention shownin FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of still another form of package constructed inaccordance with the principles of the instant invention;

FIGURE 1() is a side elevational View of the package construction ofFIGURE 9;

rice

FIGURE l1 is a plan view of still another modified form `of packageconstruction in `accordance with this inventive concept;

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of a larger package embodying elements of theinstant inventive concept, which because of its size is particularlyadapted for use as ta tobacco pouch;

FIGURE 13 is -a side elevational View of the package construction ofFIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is an end elevational view of the package of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 15 is a transverse enlarged sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 15k15 of FIGURE 1, viewing in the direction of the arrows,and which is allustrative of any similar cross -sectional view of any ofthe embodiments of FIGURES l to 11;

FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially lalongline 16-16 of FIGURE 1, viewing in the direction of the arrows, and isshowing in dotted lines the position of the spout formed by the flap inthe package when the sides of the package are pressed together as whenpouring the contents therefrom;

FIGURE 17 is `a sectional view similar to FIGURE 16 but takensubstantially along line 17-17 in FIGURE 7, viewing in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE 18 is a plan view of another modified form of the instantinvention;

FIGURE 19 is a side elevational View of the package structure of FIGURE18;

FIGURE 2O is a longitudinal sectional view of the package constructionof FIGURE 18 taken substantially along line 20-20 thereof, viewing inthe direction of the arrows; this figure also being representative of asimilar cross sectional view of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 21 is a plan view of a larger package embodying elements of theinstant invention showing in dotted lines the position of the open ap;

FIGURE 22 is an elevational view of the package of FIGURE 21;

FIGURE 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23- 23 of FIGURE 21viewing in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 24 is a plan view of a further modified form of packageconstruction in accordance with the principles of the instant invention;

FIGURE 25 is an end elevational view of the package construction ofFIGURE 24;

FIGURE 26 is a sectional yView taken along line 26--26 of FIGURE 24viewing in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 27 is a view showing one manner of adhesively securing a ap tothe body portion of the package; and

FIGURE 28 is a showing of another manner of adhesively securing the apto the ybody portion of the package.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the -accompanying drawings.v

Having reference now to the accompanying drawings and more particularlyto FIGURES l and 2, there is generally indicated at 20 one form of apackage constructed in accordance with the instant invention. Thepackage comprises a single sheet of material, any desired substancebeing utilized, but laminated aluminum foil having been foundpreferable, folded along a ybottom edge 19 thereby providing a top andbottom surface 21, 22 respectively. Surface or sheet 21 may beconsidered as the top of the package 20, and terminates in a straightedge 23, while surface 22 comprises a bottom sheet and is provided witha tab 24 extending across the entire width of edge 23 therebyconveniently providing a closure for package 20. Sheets 21 and 22, whichare but extensions of the single piece of material folded along edge 19,are adapted to be sealed by any suitable adhesive 26 placed along thetwo side edges and bottom edge adjacent fold 19. A similar adhesive 28is applied to upper sheet 21 between edges 28 of tab 24 as shown in FIG-URE l, a similar line of adhesive 29 extends between the inclinedstraight edges 2S at a point adjacent, but not including the extreme end30 of the tab. Thus extreme end 30 of the tab 24 is left free and isbent upwardly as best shown in FIGURE 2. There is lthus provided adisposable package, of a convenient size which is easily held in thehand of a user for dispensing an individual serving of such material asinstant coffee or instant tea. In the use and operation of the packageupstanding end 30 of tabe 24 is grasped between the thumb and forenger,and by pulling thereon the adherence of adhesive disposed at 28 and 29is released. The tab is then extended to the dotted line position ofFIG- URE 2, and by pressing on the side edges of the package the tab maybe concaved in much the same manner as FIGURE 16 to form a spout, bymeans of which the contents of the package may be readily poured into acup or receptacle without waste thereof.

FIGURES 3 and 4 disclose a similar package generally indicated at 35 andcomprised of a single sheet of material folded along lower edge 27forming upper and lower sheets 36 and 37 marginally secured around sideedges 38 to form outwardly extending flanges. In this form of theinvention a closure tab 39 may form a separate piece which is adhesivelysecured as at 40 to lower sheet 37 and which is generally similar inconiiguration to tab 24 of the embodiment shown in FIGURES l and 2 withthe following exceptions. Tab 39 has at the surface abutting package 35an end 34 which is parallel to and extends along side edges 38 when tab39 is in closed position. Tab 39 also has disposed on its outer surfacea series of L-shaped reinforcing ribs 41 providing a stiffener in boththe longitudinal and transverse directions. As shown in FIGURE 3reinforcing ribs 41 do not extend to the center of tab 39 thus providinga substantially V-shaped spout when the edges 38 of the package arepressed together. Marginal adhesive 42 extends around the inside of tab39 along end 34 to a point adjacent the extremity 43 thereof, extremity43 being bent upwardly in a manner similar to that of the previouslydisclosed modification. The use and operation of this package isidentical to that previously described, but it should be noted thatadhesive along edge 34 provides a package which is particularly adaptedto hold finely pulverized material and prevent it from escaping aroundthe junction of tab 39 and upper sheet 36.

The modification shown in FIGURES and 6, and generally indicated at 45,is substantially identical to that shown in FIGURE 3, with the exceptionof the fact that reinforcing ribs 41 are omitted, and an additionalinterior tab 46 is provided adjacent the upper marginal edge or openingof package 45. Interior tab 46 may be conveniently provided by makingupper surface 36a of package 45 somewhat longer than lower surface 37ain folding the edge thereof as shown in FIGURE 5. The provision ofinterior tab 46 aids in the retention of material inside package 45, andin this regard it has been found advantageous to provide a paraiiin sealbetween the surface of tab 46 and tab 39a. A tab 43a is provided forpackage 45 in much the same manner as tab 43 is provided for package 35,and pulling on tab 43a will release both the seal formed by marginaladhesive 42a and that formed by paraiiin secured tab 46. The use andoperation of package 45 is identical to that of packages 20 and 35previously described.

In FIGURES 7 and 8 there is shown a still further modification of apackage construction generally indicated at 47 and including anauxiliary inner tab 46a of the same type as shown in FIGURE 5. Auxiliaryinner tab 46a may be secured to closure tab 39h by paran, adhesive orthe like, and is provided with an auxiliary strip 48 thereon. Aftr tab43h has been raised should adhesive strip 46a adhere to tab 391'),identical to the previously described tab 39 except for the omission ofthe reinforcing ribs, auxiliary strip 4S may be grasped to release thefurther adhesive seal.

FIGURES 9 and l0 disclose a modified form of construction, wherein thepackage indicated generally at 50 is substantially identical to previousmodifications, and includes a sealing tab 51 having marginal adhesivestrips 52 and an upstanding tab 53. In this embodiment of the inventionan additional strip of a reusable adhesive 54 is applied across theupper surface of package Sti so that when tab 51 is closed reusableadhesive 54 lies interiorly of the marginal adhesive sealing means S5.This package may be used for such commodities as candy, dry foods, orthe like, wherein a larger package is desired, and wherein it isdesirable that the package may be resealed after initial use. The useand operation of package 50 is substantially identical to that ofpackages 20, 35, 45 and 47 as previously described, however, theprovision of reusable sealing means 54 enhances the possibility of reuseof package 5i).

FIGURE l1 discloses a still further modiiied form of package, generallyindicated at 60, and including a tab 61 having marginal sealing meansthereon similar to sealing means 52 of package 50, as well as a free tab63 which protrudes upwardly as in the foregoing modifications. In thisform of the invention an additional strip of adhesive 65 extendstransversely across the body of the package, interior of the marginalsealing means indicated above, and extends diagonally upward as at 66 tothe corners of package 60 as shown. This arrangement is particularlydesirable in the case of semi-fluid materials, but may also be employedwith solid materials such as dry salad dressing mix or the like whereina relatively large package is employed. The use of the additional stripof adhesive diagonally extending from the corner of the package providesa receptacle which is peculiarly adept at retaining material thereinwithout spillage at the corner thereof.

A still further modification is disclosed in FIGURES 12 to 14 inclusive,and is adapted to be utilized for powdered soups, powdered onions,vegetables or the like, wherein a relatively large quantity of materialis eni` ployed for an individual serving. In this form of the inventionreusable adhesive may or may not be employed, as shown in the species ofthe invention disclosed m HGURES 9, 10, and 11, depending on whether ernot it is desired to reutilize the package, or dispose of all thecontents at once. In this form of the invention package generallyindicated at 70 is formed of a single sheet of material folded as at 69to provide an upper and lower sheet 67, 68 respectively. As shown inFIGURE 13 the bottom of package 70 is folded inwardly as at 72 to forman accordion-like pleat, whereby the package may be expanded to hold arelatively large quantity of material. The marginal edges of package 70are folded inwardly to form an internal iiange 71, which is adhesivelysealed interiorly of package 70 and which provides anotheraccordian-like pleat in much the same manner as lower fold 72. In thisconstruction, an outer tab 73 is provided, beneath which and secured toupper surface 67 is a straight reusable adhesive strip 74 extendingtransversely across package 70. An upturned tip 75 is provided which maybe grasped between the thumb and foreiinger rendering the use andoperation of this embodiment identical with those previously described.An additional inner seal 76 may be provided to facilitate preservationof the retained contents whenv tab 73 is secured to upper surface 67 byan adhesive means in addition to lreusable strip 74.

FIGURES 18 to 2O inclusive disclose a modified form of construction,wherein the package indicated generally at 77 is similar to the formshown in FIGURES l to l1. The receptacle is formed by folding a singlesheet 78 in order to provide one closed end 79 with adhesive 80 closingthe marginal sides. A suitable adhesive 82 is secured transverselyacross the upper edge of package 77 and extends diagonally upwardly tothe side edges thereof as shown. The tab 81 is provided which is ofsimilar configuration to that previously described such that when tab 31overlies the upper sheet of package 77 adhesive strip 82 fallsinteriorly of the upwardly extending tip portion 84, thus providing ameans for convenient grasping. An additional sealing member or inner tab83 is a paraffin or the like coated member for providing an additionalinner seal. When initially assembled, inner tab 83 will bond or adhereto sheet 78 to provide a hermetically sealed package.

A further modification is shown in FIGURES 2l to 23 and is adapted tohold tobacco or other material in which the entire contents of thepackage are not used at one time. The receptacle shown generally at 85is made of a single sheet of material 86 folded to provide a closed end87 with side edges S8 being folded and secured by a suitable adhesive inany suitable manner. A tab 89 is provided with a suitable adhesive 90secured transversely across upper sheet S6 and extending verticallyupwardly to the corners of package 85. A strip of reusable adhensive 90may be secured transversely across sheet 86 and provide a means ofconveniently reusing package 85. An inner tab 99 is ixedly secured totab 89 as shown in FIGURE 23 and extends downwardly to a point justabove adhesive strip 90. When outer tab 89 -is closed, inner tab 99provides an additional air seal in order to keep the contents of package85 in a fresh condition.

FIGURES 24 to 26 inclusive disclosed a similar package generallyindicated at 91 comprised of a single sheet of material 92 folded toprovide a sealed end 93 with the side edges thereof adhesively bonded asat 94 in any suitable manner to provide an open top receptacle. As shownin FIGURE 26, a reusable adhesive strip 96 is provided with a tab 97which acts as an upward extension of sheet 92. A tab 95 is reusablyadhesively secured to sheet 92 by adhesive strip 96 which is exposedthrough a slot 98, the 4adhesive being carried interiority of thepackage, the adhesive strip being upturned at its ends to provide asubstantially air tight seal. The use and operation is identical withthose packages perviously described.

There is shown in FIGURE 27 a package indicated generally at 100comprised of an upper and lower sheet 101, 102 and having a main tab103. A convenient means of securing tab 103 to upper sheet 101 is shownin which a slot is formed of any configuration in sheet 101 and a stripof material 104 is fixedly secured in the cavity formed beneath sheets101, 102 -along the later-al extent of the slot. Positioned in the slotin sheet 101 is a strip of adhesive 105 which makes a separableconnection with tab 103 when the tab 103 is pressed thereagainst.

There is shown in FIGURE 28 another means of securing a tab 103 of apackage 100 to an upper sheet 101 thereof. Fixedly secured to the outersurface of upper sheet 101 is a strip of material 106, which may be ofany desired configuration, and on which is secured an adhensive strip107 which may or may not be of the reusable variety.

In all of the species of the invention hereinbefore shown and described,the operation is essentially the same, in that there is herein provideda package which may be opened barely by lifting the end of a closuretab, which is adhesively sealed to the package, thus obviating thenecessity of tear cords or the like. In certain modifications of theinvention it will be seen that by the use of reusable adhesive thepackage may be opened and reclosed as desired until the contents thereofare exhausted.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided an improveddisposable package which accomplishes all of the objects of thisinvention, and others, including many advantages of practical utilityand commercial importance.

It has been found that many other modifications may be made in theinventive concept herein disclosed, among winch are constructing thebody portion of a package out of two sheets of materials secured alongthree edges thereof rather than using a single sheet of material foldedto form one edge. It has also been found that the adhesive stripssecuring the tab to the body portion may be placed on the tab ratherthan the body portion. As many embodiments may be made of this inventiveconcept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinshown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is tobe interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A disposable dispensing package comprising an elongated strip ofmetal foil folded along an intermediate transverse line to. define apackage having a closed end, a long side and a short side, and sealingalong the sides thereof to deiine an open ended dispensing enclosure,the end of the long side being reverted to overlie the short side anddene a closure tab, and a line of resealable adhesive extending betweenthe sides and an intermediate transverse portion of the closure tab andthe adjacent surface of the short side resealably closing said packagewith the end of said tab projecting beyond the transverse adhesive lineto provide a free finger grasping portion positioned in relativelyoffset relation to the short side.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the metal foil is laminated aluminumfoil.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein raised reinforcing ribs are formedin the metail foil of the closure tab.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein a self-sealing adhesive strip ispositioned on the outer side of said short side beneath said closuretab, whereby the package may be resealed.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein an additional adhesive sealing stripis positioned along the edge of said closure tab adjacent the unsealedend of the package.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein an auxiliary pull tab is formedadjacent said additional adhesive sealing strip.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one edge of said receptacleis formed inwardly to provide an accordion-like pleat and sealedinternally of the package.

8. rThe structure of claim 1l wherein the adhesive seal iS formed by anadhesive strip underlying said material and projecting through a slotformed by said material to lie beneath the closure tab.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein the adhesive seal is provided by aslot formed in said one surface adjacent the open end thereof, a stripof material secured to the under side of said one surface beneath saidslot, and an adhesive strip secured to said strip of material andprojecting through said slot.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 693,704 2/ 1902Haberstroh 229-79 768,340 8/1904 Ormsbee 229-68 1,217,818 2/1917Peterson 206-41 2,251,391 8/ 1941 Berkowitz 229-80 2,262,111 11/1941Moore. 2,329,055 9/ 1943 Kegan 229-80 2,330,666 9/ 1943 Berkowitz 229-802,668,769 2/ 1954 Schlienz 229-68 2,825,497 3/1958 Hitt 229-62 3,151,80310/ 1964 Kaminshi 229-80 FOREIGN PATENTS 494,159 10/ 1938 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Examiner.

1. A DISPOSABLE DISPENSING PACKAGE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED STRIP OFMETAL FOIL FOLDED ALONG AN INTERMEDIATE TRANSVERSE LINE TO DEFINE APACKAGE HAVING A CLOSED END, A LONG SIDE AND A SHORT SIDE, AND SEALINGALONG THE SIDES THEREOF TO DEFINE AN OPEN ENDED DISPENSING ENCLOSURE,THE END OF THE LONG SIDE BEING REVERTED TO OVERLIE THE SHORT SIDE ANDDEFINE A CLOSURE TAB, AND A LINE OF RELEASABLE ADHESIVE EXTENDINGBETWEEN THE SIDES AND AN INTERMEDIATE TRANSVERSE PORTION OF THE CLOSURETAB AND THE ADJACENT SURFACE OF THE SHORT SIDE RESEALBLY CLOSING SAIDPACKAGE WITH THE END OF SAID TAB PROJECTING BEYOND THE TRANSVERSEADHESIVE LINE TO PROVIDE A FREE FINGER GRASPING PORTION POSITIONED INRELATIVELY OFFSET RELATION TO THE SHORT SIDE.